“Then, forsooth, will they be in luck—not having you to look at.”
But the others had caught his meaning, and her retort was half lost in the shout of laughter that greeted him.
“Aye, I warrant me when the fighting comes you will see the backs of so many Redcoats that you can e’en cut their pattern in the dark,” declared Dorothy.
“Then will his head be twisted forever awry with looking so much over his shoulder behind him.”
“My Lady Royalist’s ears are in the room though her eyes be elsewhere,” laughed Janet.
“And neither is her tongue paralyzed. Turn about, Joscelyn, and let us see you have also other power of motion.”
“Not quite so much as some folk who turn like a weather-cock in every gust of a partisan wind.”
Thus the sparring went on until the visitors took their departure, followed to the gate by Mistress Clevering and her daughter for that one last word which women so love. Richard bowed them out and closed the door upon their backs; then, marching straight to the window, he placed himself by Joscelyn, who immediately turned her face in the opposite direction. He spoke to her, but only a shrug of the shoulders answered him.
“You shall look at me,” he cried, with sudden determination; and, seizing her by the shoulders, he twisted her about until she faced him; but even then he did not accomplish his purpose, for she covered her face with her hands, declaring vehemently she would rather see him in his shroud than in the uniform of a traitor.
“Traitor, forsooth! You know not whereof you speak. In what button or seam see you aught that is traitorous?” He dragged her hands from her face, and held them in his strong grip; but still he was foiled, for her eyes were tightly closed. “An you open not your eyes immediately, I will kiss them soundly upon either lid.”